Japanese launch major offensive against Bataan
On this day in 1942 the Japanese infantry stage a major offensive against Allied troops in Bataan the peninsula guarding Manila Bay of the Philippine Islands.The invasion of the Japanese 14th Army which began in December 1941 and was led by General Masaharu Homma had already forced General Douglas MacArthurs troops from Manila the Philippine capital into Bataan in part because of poor strategizing on MacArthurs part.By March after MacArthur had left for Australia on President Roosevelts orders and been replaced by Major General Edward P.King Jr.the American Luzon Force and its Filipino allies were half-starved and suffering from malnutrition malaria beriberi dysentery and hookworm.Homma helped by reinforcements and an increase in artillery and aircraft activity took advantage of the U.S.
and Filipinos weakened condition.The Japanese attack signaled the beginning of the end and would result six days later in the surrender of the largest number of U.S.troops in U.S.
military history.
